Blackpink is being ridiculed for being past their prime and having poor album sales; will Rosé step in to save the group?

BLACKPINK – the K-pop girl group that once dominated global charts – recently received significant attention with the announcement of their comeback with the mini-album Deadline on February 27, 2026, marking their first full-fledged return in over three years since their album Born Pink.

However, this plan did not receive the same positive response as previous comebacks. Many opinions from the fan community and the public suggest that the new product's sales in the first 24 hours reached 66,242 pre-orders, more than half the sales of Born Pink (142,129 copies), leading some to question the level of interest and enthusiasm for this release.

Not only sales, but also the overall visual and emotional impact of Deadline has been criticized by some for lacking innovation. They argue that the mini-album has a limited number of tracks, and the concept and visuals haven't made as strong an impression as expected, leading to a feeling of superficiality despite the eager anticipation. Some commentators note that the fandom's attention has been somewhat dispersed by the individual members' solo activities in recent years, with many of their solo releases consistently selling out and achieving their own success. In their eyes, fans' energy for buying albums is no longer focused solely on the group as before.

However, some argue that pre-order numbers from a single channel like KTOWN4U cannot reflect the full sales picture, as fans now purchase albums through various platforms. They believe that it's impossible to conclude that Deadline failed based solely on this metric, and that data from the official sales phase is needed to accurately assess its commercial success.

Besides the debate surrounding the group's new release, Rosé, the main vocalist and member of BLACKPINK, has been a highlight in the media recently. Rosé appeared on the cover of ELLE magazine's February issue, showcasing confidence and a mature demeanor. In the interview, she shared her feelings about being nominated for a Grammy in 2026, saying it was "like living a dream." Rosé said she felt "unreal" being nominated alongside artists she had admired since childhood, and she especially appreciated the efforts of many people who have supported her throughout her career.

Rosé received a Grammy nomination for her song "APT.," a collaboration with Bruno Mars, and this also marked a milestone, making her the first K-pop female solo artist to be nominated in major categories such as Song of the Year, Record of the Year, and Best Pop Duo/Group Performance. This achievement represents a significant step in her career and is one of the reasons she has received attention beyond her group activities.

In her sharing, Rosé also emphasized her desire to continue pursuing her passion without limiting herself, even knowing that the road ahead may be difficult and full of challenges. She expressed optimism and reminded herself to enjoy both difficult and successful moments.

Given recent events, BLACKPINK is at a crossroads, sparking debate about their current influence and appeal. While some believe the group is experiencing a "cooling-down" phase after years of dominance, individual achievements like Rosé's Grammy win demonstrate that BLACKPINK still possesses unique strengths that fans and the media should continue to follow in 2026.

Rosé learned Jennie's bad habits, fans crowded to leave in the middle of BLACKPINK's concert? Keng13:52:56 03/12/2025In BLACKPINK, Jennie has long been criticized for being lazy to dance, but recently, Rosé also fell into the same controversy after the DEADLINE concert in Singapore last weekend.